Dreams

"I literally do not care," Mai says, sighing.

"Oh, you don't get to play because you get to marry royalty. I wish I could marry royalty," Ty Lee whines. Her idea of conversation did not go super well. "I want some hot royal to steal my heart."

"And maybe someone who steals your stuff too," Mai suggests, glancing at Azula.

Here comes well-hidden tachycardia for the princess.

"Maybe." Ty Lee shrugs. "I don't like like Zuko, though. You can have him."

"So, what exactly are your ridiculous standards going to be?" Mai curiously inquires.

"Nothing that complicated. I just want to marry someone rich and powerful, and maybe pretty," Ty Lee says brightly. "Oh, and I would love it if they were a firebender, because firebenders are hot. Oh, and firebending babies!" Ty Lee grins and then gazes severely at Mai. In a mock serious voice she says, "I would train them to destroy my enemies."

This is apparently how sleepovers are supposed to go. Azula wonders when they decided to grow up, because she did not notice it happening.

Azula is rich and powerful and definitely pretty.

Ty Lee looks at her dreamily and Azula's heart starts to pound. "You're so lucky. I bet you'll get someone amazing. You're amazing. And so you'll marry someone amazing."

"That's not how it works," Azula crisply says. "This is boring. I honestly don't care what color flowers you'll have at a hypothetical wedding that certainly will not happen."

Ty Lee stares at her again.

Then she shrugs. "Okay."

Azula does not know what to make of that. She did dodge any troubles, however, which is a relief. Her heart begins to return to its regular pace.

Mai ruins it. Mai ruins it and Azula will have her killed.

"You could marry Azula. She sounds like your dream girl," Mai says, leaning back on the foot of Azula's bed. Her foot grazes the side of one of the candles and Azula considers burning her, but then does the right thing.

"I could marry Azula!" Ty Lee declares. Then she shrinks and whispers out of the corner of her mouth, "If you're okay with that, princess, of course. I don't want to offend you or anything, princess."

"Keep dreaming big. I enjoy the disappointment of others," Azula says.

She does not enjoy Ty Lee's disappointed expression after she says that.

But Azula looks away at the candles and changes the subject of conversation.

fin